Former Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Mayor Kasim Reed and the city, saying he was terminated in 2015 because of his religion.

Attorneys with faith-based nonprofit Alliance Defending Freedom are representing Cochran in the suit, filed in a U.S. District Court. They say Cochran's self-authored religious book, which contained controversial passages about homosexuality, cost him his job.

The mayor has repeatedly said Cochran's judgment — and not his faith — is why he was terminated after serving a 30-day suspension without pay.

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The city of Brookhaven's mayor and City Council last week decided to remove the colored panes of glass from the dome of Brookhaven's new City Centre after residents objected to the brightness of the colors, seen here Friday, June 27, 2025. (Reed Williams/AJC)

Credit: Reed Williams/AJC

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The city of Brookhaven's mayor and City Council last week decided to remove the colored panes of glass from the dome of Brookhaven's new City Centre after residents objected to the brightness of the colors, seen here Friday, June 27, 2025. (Reed Williams/AJC)

Credit: Reed Williams/AJC